Ronald S. Lauder: Abbas' ‘inciting’ remarks hinder critical efforts to relaunch peace talks

World Jewish Congress President Ronald S. Lauder said Thursday that he was “greatly disturbed” by Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas’ remarks in the European Parliament earlier that day alleging that certain Israeli rabbis had called to poison Palestinian water, adding that such remarks were severely hindering critical efforts to relaunch the peace process.

Abbas received a standing ovation for his address and European Parliament President Martin Schulz called the speech “inspiring” in a Twitter post released immediately after. Abbas' remarks did not appear in the official transcript of the speech released by the Palestinian Authority.

“It greatly disturbs me that the Palestinian president, who claims to be willing to engage in peace talks with the Israelis and pledges commitment to a two-state solution, would utter such offensive and inciting remarks in the halls of the European parliament,” Lauder said. “It disturbs me no less to learn that members of the European parliament not only stayed and listened to his remarks, but even stood in roaring applause afterward.”

“As Israeli leaders so rightfully said in response to Abbas’ vicious remarks, these accusations are nothing short of the blood libels that have spread for centuries against the Jewish people.

“I truly believe that a two-state solution is the only way to ensure the future of a secure Jewish state, but I am growing more concerned each day that the State of Israel has no partner in this endeavor. How can we be surprised when Hamas, Fatah and other Palestinians cheer as Israelis are murdered in cold blood in Tel Aviv, when their leader takes the diplomatic stage in Europe to spread lie after libelous lie against the Jewish people?

“I strongly urge Abbas to retract his remarks and apologize for the incitement he is feeding both to his constituents in the Palestinian Authority and to the members of the international community privy to this address,” said Lauder.